Honoring Emmet's love of camp
Ten-year-old Emmet Manheim z”l loved playgrounds and hoped to one day design roller coasters. But this Tevya camper from Stamford, CT developed a rare blood disorder and passed away just a year and a half after his diagnosis. Although he had only one summer at camp, he loved Camp Tevya with all his heart.
Emmet’s family and friends are now launching the second year of The Emmet Manheim Scholarship Fund to honor his legacy and give other children the Camp Tevya experience, Summers 2025-2029. This generous support establishes an ongoing pool of scholarship assistance to Camp Tevya families. Emmet’s family invites everyone who knew Emmet or is moved by his story to contribute to this effort.
Year 2, let’s GO! This effort soared past the goal last year, helping more kids to experience Camp Tevya — a place where Emmet’s spirit shone brightest. 
Can we do it again?? ❤️
Gifts to scholarship assistance are vital to Camp Tevya’s community. Tuition does not cover scholarships, yet 1-in-4 camp families rely on such help.
Camp Tevya is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Cohen Camps are grateful to every donor for recognizing the power of Jewish camping for children and teens.
Founding Donors
Lisa and Jeff Manheim, Emmet’s Parents
The Katz Family
$5,000+
- Peter Sommerfield
$2,500 - $4,999
- Michelle and Kenny Gersh
$1,000 - $2,499
- Anonymous (2)
- Alderman Family
- Shira Citron
- The Jaffe-Berkowitz Family
- Stephen Schechter
$360 - $999
- Abramowitz/Gurwitz
- Debra Adler-Klein and Family
- Russell Cohen
- Cohen-Mintz family
- Darish Family
- The Finks
- Robert J. Fishman Memorial Fund
- Melissa and Ross Friedberg
- Susan Frieden
- Kenneth Gersh
- Leslie and Neil
- Andrea and Marty Glenn
- Aaron, Jill, Jenna and Nate
- Edward Goldstein
- Robyn and Josh Hartman
- Linda Hill
- David and Amy Kahn
- Betsy and Peter Kempner
- Michelle and Kos Kolev
- Scott and Liz Krowitz
- The Leshetz Family
- Lincoln and Sophie
- Reines-Bornstein Family
- The Rosenberg Family
- Aunt Amy and Uncle Brian
- The Teres Family
- The Tobins
- Alice and Sergio Viroslav
- Diana and Craig Sklar
- Debbie Wasserman and Jason Glasser
Up to $360
- Anonymous (14)
- Jennifer Abcug and Steven Conway
- Jordy + Cooper Adler
- Ben Aronson
- Dan Aronson
- Mairead Auletta
- Lori Baden
- Dina Bakst
- The Ballon Family
- Barger Family
- Jessica Bearak
- Mollie and Jon Becker
- Robert and Susan Becker
- The Bedik Family
- Rona and Tom Beetham
- Alan Bell
- The Berger Family
- Melissa
- Leslie Berni
- Stacy and Charlie Bess
- The Binder Family
- Diana Binger
- Susan and Jared Blank
- Julie and Jeff Blasbalg
- Blocker Family
- David Borden
- Elana Bowers
- Brahe Family
- Ashli Breen and Family
- Marla Brenerman Wolfson
- Melissa and Stephen Burnazian
- Shawn Campbell
- Hudson Campbell
- Chaiken Scharfman Family
- The Chasen Family
- Sarah Chopp
- Michele Cohen
- Shari and Stephen Cohen
- Gordon, Kahla, Gavin and Sloane
- Jon Deaner
- Ariel Devine and Michael Lief
- Michael Dittelman
- Aaron and Hilary Dommu
- Zach Driben
- The Dubler-Furman Family
- The Duignan Family
- The Dynner Family
- Sharon (Samuels) Eber
- Stacey and Marc
- Stacy Kaufman Emanuel
- Mike and Dawn Emerman
- Julie Engel
- Scott Feinstein and Family
- Shelley Fischel
- Breena and Jed Fishback
- Susan Flint
- Nicole Franceschini
- Frank Family
- Michael Frey
- Aaron Friedman
- Barbara + Stan Friedman
- Isabella Friedman
- The Gajda Family
- Alex and Julia Gall
- Allie Ganz
- Laura Garelick
- Rex Garozzo
- The Gaudion Family
- Riley and Lori Gerber
- Gettler Family
- Gilbert Family
- Shira and David Gilboa
- Kerry Glass
- Amy Goffin
- Meredith Golden
- Darya Goldstein
- Gordon Family
- The Green/Braman Family
- Jonny and Eliza Greenspan
- Rachel Gustat
- Dawn Halkuff
- Karyn and Rob Hartstone
- Cheryl Herman
- Zoe Hill
- Yosef Hoffman
- Vicky Kahn
- Debra Kahn
- Joelle and Andrew Kanter
- Lisa and Seth Katzenstein
- Kaufman Family
- Keller Family
- Allison Kelly
- Dori and David Kirshner
- Rabbi Michael Knopf and Family
- Glenn Kramer
- Jeannie and Brian Kriftcher
- Rebecca Streeter
- Laichtman Family
- Max Lalezarian
- Heather and Carl Lambrecht
- Last Family
- Ron Lederman
- Jonathan Leiken
- Levine Family
- The Tronick Family
- Jessica Levine
- Jill Pollack Lewis
- Erika Lilienfeld
- The Loewenberg Family
- Julie Mak and Il Lee
- Diane and Jason Malkin
- Marc, Carolyn, Leo, and Teddy
- Betsy and Jon Margolis
- Jill and Clayton Meixel
- Michelle Messer
- Marcelo Messer
- Dana Milne
- Michelle Mintz
- Claire Muldoon
- Jamie and Marc Nayor
- Julie Nemirovsky
- Corey and Dave Penn
- Aryeh Pollack
- Sylvan and Honni Pomerantz
- Margo and Ben Portnoy
- Amy and Jeff Pressman
- Adela Qersaqi
- The Raz Family
- Doug and Sarah Rendell
- Ellen Resnick
- Sarah Rich
- Tepper Family
- The Baldachin Family
- Pegah Rosenthal and Family
- Michael and Tara Rothenberg
- Rachel and Michael Sackman
- Erica Rothstein
- Alissa and Brian Rubin
- Alicia Sands
- Cori
- The Sarasohn Family
- The Schall Family
- Susan Scheffler
- Kaili Scherban
- Bubbie and Pop Pop Schmier
- Aliyah Schneider
- Wendy Schnierow
- Dava Schub
- The Seibald Family
- Shankman's
- Jessica Singal Shapiro
- Sara Shapiro-Plevan
- Shaw Family
- Todd and Jane Sherwood
- Lori and Sam Singal
- Stacey Smalley
- Speicher Family
- Lois Stark and Gary Lessen
- Maureen Stathis
- Emily Staub
- Frankie Stein
- Pam Stein
- Lauren Steinberg
- Mitchell Stern
- Liz Stillman
- The Swain Family
- Tau Family
- Stacey Tavel
- Gillian Tepper
- Tuchmans
- The Usdin Family
- Caraline Vince
- Rebecca Wasserman
- J.J. Weiner
- Mia and Lonny Weinstein
- The Wexler Family
- Dina Wizmur
- The Wolfson Family
- Wolly/Horowitz Family
- Seth Wulf
- Navah and David Zizmor
- Deborah Zuckerman
Founding Donors
Lisa and Jeff Manheim, Emmet’s Parents
The Katz Family
$5,000+
- Anonymous
- Jennifer and Peter Sommerfield
$2,500 - $4,999
- Be the First!
$1,000 - $2,499
- Ellen and Philip Ades
- Aunt Amy, Uncle Brian, Charlie and Oliver
- Anonymous
- Natan Bibliowicz
- Jill and Aaron Goldberger
- Fredda and Ed Goldstein
- The Landa Family
- Leslie, Neil and Zachary
- Hailey Lustig
- Malkin Family
- Shira and Marc Nerenberg
- Tavel Family
$360 - $999
- Susan Abramowitz
- The Chasen Family
- Shira Citron
- Kari Cohen
- Louise and Robert Cohen
- The Davies Family
- Jennifer and Jeffrey Davis
- Elyse and David Efron
- Shelley Fischel
- Gilmore Rees and Carlson PC
- Hilary (Forman), Justin, Caroline and Ben Ginsberg
- Andrea and Marty Glenn
- Patricia and Seth Goldman
- Robyn and Josh Hartman
- The Jaffe-Berkowitz Family - Devra, Parry, Zoë and Andrew
- Alan Kierman
- The Krowitz Family
- Matt Leshetz
- The Sklar Family
- Lincoln and Sophie
- Claire Muldoon
- Gayle and Howard Rothman
- Amy and Jay Schwartzberg
- Seth Tobin
- Ellen + Leonard Zuckerman, Deborah Zuckerman and Barak Goldberg, and Naome, Seth, Hannah + Sari Cohen
Up to $360
- Jennifer Abcug
- The Alaimo Family
- Marni Amsellem
- Ariyeh Family
- The Ballon Family
- Ben Aronson
- Wendy, Lance and Jenna Beder
- The Bedik Family
- Michelle and Michael Bender
- Ben-Zvi Family
- The Berger Family
- Bess and Andy
- Karen and Adam Binder
- Binger Family
- Susan and Jared Blank
- Julie and Jeff Blasbalg
- Daniel Blaser
- Marcy Block
- Blumenthal/Ender Family
- Borden Family
- Patty Brahe
- Brill Family
- The Broder Family
- Jack Brown
- Pam Burns
- Liz and Shawn Campbell
- Alyson Castillo
- Chaiken/Scharfman Family
- Lisa, Jim, Jonathan and Dahlia Cohen
- Naomi and Seth Cohen
- Tara Cook-Littman
- Kahla Cooper
- Davidson Family
- Jon Deaner
- DeCasanova Family
- Monica Delyani
- Michael Dittelman
- Michael Doppelt
- Julie and Brian Duignan
- Shoshana Dweck
- Sharon (Samuels) Eber
- Deena and Michael Ebright
- The Eisenstein Family
- Stacy Kaufman Emanuel
- Mindy Engle
- Jesse Feit
- Laura Feld
- Pamela Feldstein
- Lauren and Dave Fishman
- Neil Fishman
- Sam Fishman
- Fox Family
- Sharon Meiri Fox
- Nicole Franceschini
- Frank Family
- Ross Freedman
- Melissa Friedberg
- Susan Frieden
- Rachel Friedman
- Stanley Friedman
- Jesse Furman
- Sharyn Gallatin
- Julie Garte
- The Gaudion Family
- Holly George
- Lori Gerber
- Samuel & Amy Gettler
- Gilbert Family
- Rachel Glazer and Michael Gustat
- The Gleser Family
- Barak Goldberg
- Barak and Lance Goldberg
- Larry Goldberg
- Gooch Family
- The Gordon Family
- Stef and Mitch Greenberg
- Aaron & Abby Greenberger
- Jonny Greenspan and Family
- Bailey H
- The Hacker Family
- Dawn Halkuff
- Jamie and Brian Hegarty
- Susan Hein
- Ruth and Michael Herlands
- Herz Family
- Linda Schnall Hill
- Madeline Hoffman
- Jen Jacobs
- Jonathan Jager-Hyman
- Jay and Sharon
- Jordan and Cooper
- Roni and Robert Jossen
- Adam Kaback
- David Kahn
- Joelle Kanter
- Karen Karniol-Tambour
- Leslie Karren
- Kattan Family
- Jeremy Katz
- Reuben Katz
- Drew Kellner
- Barry Knee
- Michelle Kolev
- Laichtman Family
- Heather Lambrecht
- Sarah Larson
- Douglas Last
- Toby Lazarus
- Leslie Levin
- Jane Levine
- Levine Family
- Stella Levy
- Diane Malkin
- Carolyn and Marc Manheim
- Oz Manheim
- Pamela Mann
- Betsy Margolis
- Loraine McCurdy-Little
- Marcelo Messer
- Michelle Messer
- Karen and Steve Metzger
- Alex Mindich
- Helen Minn
- Osnoss Family
- Corey and David Penn
- Tara Pine
- Ina and John Portnoy
- Margo and Ben Portnoy
- Ariel and Adam Price
- Jason Raisner
- Liam Raz
- Sarah Reines and Rich Bornstein
- The Resnick Family
- The Rich Family
- Karen and Mark Rogol
- Julie Rosenberg
- The Rosenberg Family
- Rosenthal Arenson Family
- Sarah Rosenwasser
- Jessica Rosoff
- Bari Nan Rothchild
- Barbara and Steve Rothstein
- The Rubin Family
- Jonathan Samuels
- The Sarasohn Family
- Alizah Schall
- Emily Scharfman
- Susan Scheffler
- Yael Schneiderman
- The Schulman Family
- Jake Schwartz
- Jennifer Schwartz
- Jordi Schwartz
- Leah Shemtov
- The Shore Family
- Siegal Family
- Rebecca Silber
- Bart Simpson
- Lori, Sam, Olivia and Zac Singal
- Shapiro Family
- Stacey Rosenfield Smalley and Family
- Libby and Adam Smoler
- Carlie and Jordan Socaransky
- Deena Spector
- Speicher Family
- Ellen and Paul Sprinsky
- The Sprung Family
- Lois Stark and Gary Lessen
- Beth C Starr
- Maureen Stathis
- Stein Kasoff Family
- Suzanne Stein
- Barbara Stevens
- Davia Stickler
- Liz Stillman
- Amy Storch
- The Swain Family
- Michal Telem and Marc Melzer
- Tuchmans
- The Usdin Family
- Rebecca Wasserman
- Haley Weber
- Chana and Max Weiner
- J.J. Weiner
- Mia and Lonny Weinstein
- Susan and Matt Wheeler
- Alison Whitebone
- Allyson and Andrew Wiener
- Audrey Winter-Driben
- Marla Brenerman Wolfson
- Wolly/Horowitz Family
- Seth Wulf
- Yasgur Family
- Yates Family
- Sue and Dave Yellen
- Efrat Yellin
- Malerie Yolen-Cohen and Jeffrey Cohen
- The Young Family
- Sheryl, Dan, Andrew, Marissa, and Jeremy Young
- Jennifer Zucher
- Deborah Zuckerman
JUMP TO
Thank You from Emmet's Parents
Emmet’s connection with the friends he made at Tevya—from his bunkmates to his counselors to the staff—was unlike anything we’d seen at home. As we drove away from his bunk at the end of the session, I remember kids of all ages yelling, “Bye, Emmet!! See you next summer!” The pure joy plastered on his face is imprinted in both Jeff’s and my memory..
We are so grateful to find ways to keep Emmet’s memory alive, and this particular initiative is incredibly meaningful. The outpouring of love and tributes from the Tevya community (and beyond) has been inspiring and humbling. We will always do what we can to keep Emmet’s spirit associated with the place that made him the happiest..
With love and Tevya Spirit,
—Lisa + Jeff
Emmet Manheim z"l (2008-2019) was a boy with passions, which included roller coasters, the Simpsons, and Camp Tevya. He called camp his “happy place” and told extravagant stories of drumming on the lid of a garbage can, playing in the Gaga pit, running around the Bog field at free play, and chattering with his friends long after the lights went out at night.
Throughout the year, he had sleepovers, bowling dates, and pizza dinners with camp friends, and it was evident by the uproarious laughter and whispered secrets that they had formed that special “camp” bond.
Emmet's love of being Jewish deepened at Tevya. Shabbat was his favorite night of the week at camp. He loved singing and dancing in the dining hall and told us the challah at Shabbat dinner was the best he ever had. He learned so much about Israel at camp that when we took a family trip there later that same summer, it was like visiting an old friend.
Above all, Emmet valued kindness, and he found that in everyone he met at Camp Tevya: the campers who became lifelong friends, the counselors who cared enormously for him, and the staff who went above and beyond when he became sick: arranging for special visits to camp, spending time with him in the hospital, and even making videos so that he felt included in the camp activities. Tevya is truly a family, and Emmet felt that from the moment he stepped foot into his Yavneh bunk to the time that he passed two years later.
From Emmet's mom, Lisa, a Tevya alum:
"Emmet first visited Camp Tevya before he could walk. As I strolled him from the flagpole to the waterfront, I knew that Tevya would be as special to him as it was to me. I was right.
"Emmet started in the Yavneh bunk in 2017, declaring camp his “happy place.” That summer, he learned to waterski, play four square, and row a canoe. We signed up for the following summer before we even left camp.
"But he just had that one summer. The next one, he got sick and the next, he died. But he never stopped dreaming of camp and the dear friends he made."
From Emmet's dad, Jeff:
"Emmet referred to camp as his “happy place”. The pain Emmet suffered from surgeries and injections never came close to the hurt of learning he couldn’t go back to camp.
"Camp was a place where Emmet found friends who were as goofy as he was, where he could master new activities he didn’t even know existed and needed mastering, where what made one different at home could be accepted and even worn as a badge of honor and camp was a place where you didn’t actually have to brush your teeth. For Emmet camp represented endless fun, freedom and learning."
"Emmet Manheim was the first person I met that would be in my age group. In 2017, When I first got to camp, I was a very shy kid who was nervous., Emmet was the first person who came to talk to me. I vividly remember him asking me to play four square the second my parents left. This act of kindness welcomed me to camp and made me feel at home, and still sticks with me to this day.
"I have had incredible experiences at camp, and none of it would have been possible without Emmet. Although Emmet may not be with us anymore, he has had an impact that will never be forgotten.
"Without Emmet being there to welcome me on that first day back in June of 2017, I don’t know where I would be today. It’s the small gestures that make the big differences."
"Emmet was there to help his friends and comfort them during tough moments. I was amazed by his warmth, maturity, and especially by how he seemed to bring out the best in others. One of my most vivid memories of Emmet is from Shabbat in the dining hall. Shabbat at camp is a special time, full of singing and dancing. As a first-year counselor, I remember holding back a bit, trying to find my place in it all. But there was Emmet—right at the front, singing, dancing, and leading his friends with pure joy and confidence. Watching him, I felt both proud and inspired.
"His energy and positivity were truly magnetic. Other counselors would often come to me and say, “I just ran an activity with your age group, and there was this one camper who was always smiling—do you know his name?” I’d smile and proudly answer, “Yes, that’s Emmet, and I’m his counselor.”
"Emmet’s presence touched everyone around him, and I feel honored to have known him. His spirit and kindness will stay with me always."
Tel Chai Reflection
from Tevya teens Reuben and Barak
on their friendship with Emmet as young campers
Reuben:
My name is Reuben.
Barak:
My name is Barak.
Reuben:
For ourselves, and for our Tel Chai Reflection, we wanted to take a moment to honor one of our close friends that we lost.
Emmet Manheim was the first person I met that would be in my age group. In 2017, When I first got to camp, I was a very shy kid who was nervous. Emmet was the first person who came to talk to me. I vividly remember him asking me to play four square the second my parents left. This act of kindness welcomed me to camp and made me feel at home, and still sticks with me to this day.
Barak:
Me and Emmet were very close family friends. He in fact, was one of my first, and closest, friends.
Before the summer of 2018, Emmet got diagnosed with an extremely rare, yet very serious bone marrow disease that caused him to not produce white blood cells. This caused Emmet to miss the summer.
After that summer, Emmet’s mom told me about Camp Tevya. She expected me to go with him the next summer in 2019. Unfortunately, Emmet was unable to go that summer as well.
In August of 2019 I visited with him at Boston Children’s Hospital and he was, according to his mom, “doing better and on the rise.”
Reuben:
Tragically, in September of 2019 Emmet Manheim passed away at the age of 11. Emmet would have been in Tel Chai this summer so it felt right to honor him in this speech.
Both Barak and I have had incredible experiences together at camp, and none of it would have been possible without Emmet. Although Emmet may not be with us anymore, he has had an impact that will never be forgotten.
Barak:
Our final takeaways are to be like Emmet. Be happy, energetic and always have a smile on your face. Don't go through the motions. Don't take camp for granted, and enjoy every single moment to the fullest.
Throughout our years at camp we have grown so much as people and the best piece of advice we can give to all younger campers is to always be a part of the group. Include everyone, and don’t only rely on yourself; you have your family around you at all times to help when you need it.
Reuben:
Last but not least, if you see someone on their own who may need a person to lean on, don’t hesitate to help them out.
Without Emmet being there to welcome me on that first day back in June of 2017, I don’t know where I would be today. It’s the small gestures that make the big differences.
These core values have molded who we are as people and more importantly, who we are as an age group.
Shabbat Shalom.
Tributes
Video + Photos of Emmet
Emmet and his mom came to visit Camp Tevya for Prospective Camper Day in 2016.
